A SIX-time champion of the Skegness bowls circuit is considering boycotting all events in the town this year following an argument over trophies. Proving the Jolly Fisherman is as dear to the hearts of visitors as it is to Skegness townsfolk, last year’s mixed pairs winner John Keith Bowmer has taken umbrage with organisers East Lindsey District Council.

At the root of the issue are the Jolly Fisherman figurines presented to winners; once made of silver, then porcelain and last year replaced by a plastic alternative.

Mr Bowmer, of Mansfield, says the plastic trophies were only meant to be temporary and that winners were promised they would be later replaced by ‘real’ figurines.

But District Council says this isn’t the case. They say it was clearly advertised in last year’s programme that traditional trophies were not available, due to health issues for the normal provider.

“We still spent £2,500 on trophies last year. They were not cheap things we provided,” said District Council spokesman James Gilbert.

“I know people are very passionate about their Jolly Fishermen figurines and it is unfortunate that last year we had to provide an alternative.”

Mr Bowmer strongly refutes the claim that a change in figurines was advertised in any of the three programmes for events last June, July and September.

He says he is mainly concerned for his playing partner Beryl Holland, who won her first title in 40 years of trying in 2009.
“She was very upset not to be presented with a Jolly Fisherman,” says Mr Bowmer.

“We received a plastic prize, yet they took £5,241 in entry fees for the September tournament alone.

“They do very well out of us from Nottinghamshire in Skegness.”
A recipient of a £100 cheque for winning the mixed pairs, Mr Bowmer said he spent an equal £100 on entry fees and roughly £500 on accommodation, travel, food and entertainment expenses while staying in Skegness.

Now aged 74, he has won a variety of categories on the seafront in the last half century and previously held the national over-60s singles title.

East Lindsey Senior Sports Development Officer Matthew Archer wrote to Mr Bowmer in hope of clarifying the ‘misunderstanding’ and said the traditional figurines would be back in 2010.

He offered Mr Bowmer the chance to purchase a solid replacement for £87.50.

Mr Bowmer indicated he would consider buying a trophy to save Mrs Holland the heartache but told council that, unlike the Jolly Fisherman, they ‘didn’t have a leg to stand on’.

Tattooists will have to get permission from a local council in future if they want to draw Lincolnshire’s famous Jolly Fisherman figure on people.

Skegness Town Council, which owns the copyright to the original Jolly Fisherman poster, has told tattoo parlours they will have to pay £10.

But some tattoo artists have branded the idea “silly”.

The council said it wanted to protect the image, which was designed as a holiday advert for the resort in 1908.

The figure, designed by John Hassall, became synonymous with the town from the posters, which read: “Skegness is SO Bracing”.

‘Good publicity’

Council officials said they were not previously aware it was being used as a tattoo.

Its clerk, Tony Cumberworth, said the council was alerted to the fact by a taxi driver, who complained he had to pay to use the image on his taxi and argued the same charge should also apply to tattooists.

Mr Cumberworth said: “People have always been required to apply to the council to use the image but it’s only recently come to light people are having it as a tattoo.”

A council spokesman said: “The town council has no objection to people using the Jolly Fisherman image but stresses that the reason it requires anyone who wants to use the image to seek the approval of the town council is to ensure the original image is protected and not devalued in any way.

“The administration fee charge of only £10 is to meet the cost of processing an application for the use of the image.”

Joe Klackzka, who owns Joe’s Tattoo Studio on Lumbley Road, said he received on average one request a year for the image.

He said: “I think it’s silly, the Jolly Fisherman represents Skegness and we don’t pay to tattoo any other images.”

Dave Daubney, who already has a tattoo of the Jolly Fisherman, said: “I had it done because I was born in the town, it’s something to be proud of.

The Jolly Fisherman was recently presented with a framed print in recognition of his commitment to the town of Skegness during the 2008 Birthday celebrations. The frame was supplied and paid for by ELDC, with images from John Byford (moonhead.co.uk)

You can download the poster free of charge (for private display only – NOT for re-sale) DOWNLOAD

Photo below: 20×30 inch poster being presented to the Jolly Fisherman last week at the Town Hall.

SHOPPERS at the Meadowhall shopping centre, Sheffield, had a special visitor when the Jolly Fisherman spent a weekend promoting Skegness. Jolly, Skegness Myor Coun Neil Pimperton and Skegness town councillors joined staff from Butlins, Skegness, to advertise the town as a holiday destination. Coun Pimperton said: “Skegness has always been one of the great traditional British seaside resorts. All the old favourites are still here and still very popular, but so are modern attractions such as skateboarding, kite surfing, a seal sanctuary and nature centre, many large indoor venues and a fantastic night life.” They handed out copies of the Skegness holdiay guide which were eagerly taken by passing shoppers.

QUESTIONS were raised about who owns the copyright of the Jolly Fisherman at the annual town council meeting.

Skegness Town Council has always said it owns it and charges people who want to reproduce the image of Jolly running along the beach.

Coun John Byford said the poster and the copyright of the John Hassall poster was given to Skegness Urban District Council by British Railways in 1966

He explained SUDC signed all its assets were signed over to the newly formed East Lindsey District Council in 1974 under a transfer of property order which meant the new council owned everything down to the last paper clip.

But Coun Byford questioned the ownership even further saying as artist, John Hassall could own the copyright until 75 years after his death, which would mean until 2023. He said: “So while British Railways gave the original painting to the SUDC in 1966, did the railways have the right to pass on copyright as it may have not been theirs to give in the first place?” I believe the copyright of Jolly belongs to the artists estate.”

Town clerk Tony Cumberworth said he felt the copyright was British Railways’ to give because it had commissioned the poster by Hassall.

He said: “That’s my stance and the stance the twon council and district coouncil should take.
“Unless we get into an expensive case in law we would never know.”

Former town clerk Alan Crawshaw said there was documentation stating the copyright belongs to the town council and was retained after the handover to ELDC.